When Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh was elected to office in 2001, she committed herself to improving services to victims of crime. Since that time, the Victim Services Division went from a largely clerical role to a full-time unit with a director, seven full-time and one part-time Victim Advocates and an administrative assistant.

Prior to the creation of the Victim Services Division, many victims of non-violent crimes were overlooked. Now all victims are notified at each level of the criminal justice system including: arraignment, pre-trials, status hearings, pleas, sentencing, motion hearings and judicial release. The program is designed to provide information and support to victims of crime as their case proceeds through the criminal justice system.

The Victim Service Division provides the following services:

Accompanying Victims to court.

Informing Victims of the status of their case.

Advocating on behalf of Victims.

Providing emergency transportation to court.

Informing Victims of their rights.

Connecting Victims to the Ohio Victims of Crime Compensation Program.

Discussing Victim safety.

Providing referrals.

Speaking to community groups, block clubs, and schools on specific crime issues.

Providing Internet access to their case.

Coordinate with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction to halt unwanted contact from a prisoner.